Skillbox Media's review of "The Aviator"

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The film "Aviator," directed by Yegor Mikhalkov-Konchalovsky and based on the book of the same name by Yevgeny Vodolazkin, will be released on November 20th. Film critic Timur Aliyev, who has already seen the film, shares his thoughts in the short reviews section "On the Exit from the Hall" on the "Komendant Kinokreposty" Telegram channel. With the author's consent, we present this review, which discusses how well the novel was adapted for the screen, what the film turned out to be, and whether it is worth watching or whether it is better to give preference to reading the book.

"The Aviator" is a film that explores the concept of time frozen in immobility. Just like Innokenty Platonov's body, encased in a block of ice. Vodolazkin's prose is filled with bitter irony: it is impossible to live someone else's life if your own existence is frozen in place.

Mikhalkov-Konchalovsky created a film that branches into multiple plot lines, reflecting the protagonist's memories. Platonov, played by Alexander Gorbatov, is a ghostly version of himself, so elusive that he could be used as an example of the term "adjective." Khabensky, playing Professor Geiger, portrays a man who wavers between confidence and doubt, being the embodiment of reality.

The book's length doesn't allow for a two-hour read. There's no room for a deep dive into Platonov's disparate thoughts and tangled eras. Instead, a simplified linear structure, punctuated by flashbacks, is presented, easily mastered by even a preschooler. Why delve into the character's psychology, which in the original is conveyed through hints and omissions? It's better to leave that aside and fill the resulting void with a love triangle, intrigue, and dynamics that aren't typical of this book.

What can triumph over time? True love, of course. While romance may not take center stage in literature, the situation is entirely different in cinema. Daria Kukarskikh presents two interpretations of Anastasia—one from the pre-war years and one from the present. Is there any difference between these images? In fact, there isn't—and what's the point? It is important that even a preschooler can understand this.

A bright accent in The film features the oligarch Zheltkov, whose image has undergone significant changes. Stychkin creates a refined yet restrained caricature of the Russian elite from this wealthy man striving for immortality. While this isn't a direct allusion to influential people and their musings on eternal life, the affinity with the theme is nevertheless clear. This is the image of billionaires trying to wait out difficult times, intending to "freeze" themselves for a century. One gets the impression they're unfamiliar with the works of Saltykov-Shchedrin.The film boasts a rich visual palette. The retro atmosphere of early 20th-century Petrograd, with its unique architecture, snow-covered rivers, and the first communal apartments, is truly impressive. Meanwhile, in 2026, the creators didn't bother with details: the stylish lofts of the cryocenter resemble the sets of the TV series "Kept Women." The grayish multi-story buildings and narrow alleys seem familiar—they could be from "My Son," where chaos and constant construction reign, or from the prologue of "Batya 2: Grandfather," in which the adults lose their child when he goes to visit his grandfather at his dacha. The film's weakest link is Anton Shagin, who plays a simple man who, in Mikhalkov's version, embodies a hard worker, but in reality comes across as something hardly worthy. "The Aviator" is a film that evokes a sense of discomfort: being around the characters is difficult, and immersion in the plot is uncomfortable. Instead of the subtle spirit of two eras, the viewer encounters something more prosaic—like an air freshener with a bright "Red Price" logo. While events in Vodolazkin's works develop chaotically (hello, memory loss), in Mikhalkov-Konchalovsky's films the action is excessive, overloaded with colorful visual elements and artificiality.

Previously, there was a possibility that Danila Kozlovsky would take on the film adaptation of "The Aviator." However, now it seems we will never know how he would interpret this material. Therefore, the best option is to turn to the original work.